Letter: Not just women win thanks to Affordable Care Act

Health care ruling is victory for women, all Americans

The Supreme Court's ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act marks a critical victory for women's health and the health of all Americans.

As a returning college student, who has lived without health insurance off and on as an adult, I know firsthand the challenges we all face in getting and paying for health coverage. And I'm not the only one.

Because of this landmark decision, millions of Americans will have access to affordable, quality health care for what may be the first time.

This law will create tremendous gains for women, including access to birth control and cancer screenings at no cost, guaranteed direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists without having to wait for a referral and an end to discriminatory practices against women, such as charging higher premiums and denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

And beginning in August of this year, women will gain access to birth control without a co-pay, which will have a tremendous economic impact on already stretched family budgets.

For women, birth control isn't a political or social issue; it's basic health care and an economic concern. The money, up to $600 on average, that women will save on birth control each year is equal to five weeks of groceries for a family of four, nine tanks of gas for the car or one semester of college textbooks.

I'm proud today to stand up and applaud this decision. I thank all of the champions of women's health, who have fought for us along the way.